KRS-One, aka
The Teacha, aka The Blastmaster, has been in the rap industry
long enough to witness and influence its many revolutions as the
art evolves. He is at it again with his tenth studio album to
date. He says, "When I began to think about what my tenth
album should sound like, I couldn't help but to think of the people
that yearn for the spiritual meaning of life and living."
Spiritual Minded is hiphop with a gospel edge. The song "Tears"
is humbly dedicated to the lives of those that were lost on September
11, 2001.

KRS maintains
his reputation for conscious, controversial hip-hop by addressing
the greatest issue of all times, spirituality. Spiritual Minded
preaches a his message of personal enlightenment with words from
KRS, self-acclaimed street preacher T. Bone, and The Temple of
Hip-Hop.

Although the
subject matter may be of interest to the album's target audience,
the music is mostly a dissappointment. Most of the tracks have
weak beats and hooks, no longer the boom-bap hip-hop once exemplified
by the Blastmaster. Stand-out tracks "The Struggle Continues,"
"The Consicious Rapper," and "Never Give Up"
keep Spiritual Minded from being a complete let down. KRS holds
up his end of the album, still shining as one of hip-hop's most
lyrical and strongest rappers.

Spiritual
Minded may not be for the masses, but it will definitely elevate
Chrisitian rap to a new level.27-Feb-2002
11:30 AM